Ivy and Bean - Doomed to Dance

Written
by Annie Barrows Illustrated by Sophie Blackall

Reviewed by Kelly C (age 8)

This terrific book, Ivy and Bean, Doomed to Dance, is about two friends, Ivy and Bean, who take ballet class. They made a terrible mistake; they should never have taken ballet class. They can’t quit now because they promised to finish the year. Then it gets worse. They’re going to be squids in the ballet dance! So then Ivy and Bean try a lot of different plans to try to get out of being squids in the ballet show called World of Dance. Will they stay until World of Dance or will they find a way to get out of it? Read the story to find out.

I like how the author made her character Ivy very smart. Ivy gets all the ideas for trying to get out of ballet class. Bean is silly. Once when Ivy thought they should break their arms, Bean thought when you break your arm you actually snap your arm off. I like the books in this series because Ivy and Bean have been friends forever. I relate to this book because I take ballet class, but I don’t hate it like they do. I love to take ballet class. I also like how the author uses a lot of details. For example, once they found their class at the aquarium they told everyone every single little detail about what they saw.

I recommend this book to 2nd – 4th graders. Also, people who like books about best friends will like this book. If you have a best friend, maybe you would like to read it with your best friend.